India calls out Pakistan bluff on ‘consular access’ to Kulbhushan Jadhav, says Islamabad blocked avenues for remedy

India on Thursday hit out at Pakistan’s “farcical approach” and said the neighbouring country blocked all avenues for remedy in Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said Pakistan had violated the ICJ ruling in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case and India will be forced to look for other remedies.

“Pakistan has blocked all available remedies to India. Pakistan is in violation of the ICJ ruling and we will be forced to look for other remedies,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said

The MEA said India tried filing a review petition for Kulbhushan Jadhav on July 18 but the lawyer appointed by India was denied access after being told he had no power of attorney.

The MEA said the Indian consular officers were obstructed from taking written consent from Kulbhushan Jadhav for legal representation on July 16.

India has requested consular access 12 times for the past one year, the MEA said.

“The so-called consular access that was provided was scuttled. They were not allowed to give him documents for his review petition. When the lawyer went to the authorities he was denied. We weren’t allowed to hand him the power of attorney documents and the authorities say a power of attorney is required,” the MEA said.

The MEA said Pakistan tried to scuttle India’s plan to help Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav by “creating confusion regarding the last day to approach court”.

“It exposes the farcical nature of Pakistan’s approach. Pakistan has not given unhindered unfettered consular access which was claimed by them. Further, Pakistan tried to scuttle India’s plan to help Jadhav by creating confusion regarding the last day to approach court. Pakistan first said that July 19 was the last day and then it again said it was July 20,” the MEA said.

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